Ms. Marvel was once beloved by the people of Jersey City, but after joining the X-Men, that all changed. Find out if she can affect public opinion in Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 by Marvel Comics!

MS. MARVEL: MUTANT MENACE #1

Writer: Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada
Artist: Scott Godlewski
Colorist: Erick Arciniega
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Jordan White
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 6th, 2024

Previously in Ms. Marvel: Ms. Marvel has officially come out to the world as a mutant and a member of the X-Men. However, after Orchis planted lies about the mutant nation of Krakoa, public perception of mutants is at an all-time low. So much so that even her community fears and hates mutants. After destroying an Orchis lab underneath Empire State University, people began to think Ms. Marvel is also a threat.

FINDING SOME BALANCE

Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 starts with Ms. Marvel in a fight with a member of the Mutant Watch who tried to kill her. The police show up to arrest him and let Kamala go despite technically being a criminal. On top of that, Ms. Marvel’s powers start to malfunction, and her body changes unexpectedly and without her control. Meanwhile, she hears the talk of the town. Some people are still on her side. Others think she is a threat. Even at school, her friends refer to Ms. Marvel as an issue. When she contemplates revealing her identity again, Bruno mentions that Orchis questioned everyone at the school. Luckily, it seems that the people at the Mosque still support her.

She ends up fighting another mutant, the Planter, who robbed a jewelry store. However, a group of older ladies called the Hordeculture show up to try and capture the Planter. Ms. Marvel saves the Planter, but someone teleports her into space before she can fight with her malfunctioning powers. Into a Liz Cheney concert!

IDENTITY

Kamala Khan is a powerful character concept, and when written by Iman Vellani, the actress of the live-action Ms. Marvel, it feels like a recipe for greatness. I don’t know if making Kamala a mutant was the right move, but the X-Men themes fit the character well. Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 portrays Kamala with incredible depth here as she manages to be a teenager on the cusp of adulthood, her role as a superhero, and the public perception of her choice to join the X-Men. And there are some tidbits here that add a degree of understanding. Things like Wolverine serving Kamala turkey bacon and the Planter, who I hope gets a better name, mention he is not trying to hurt anyone. All this stuff allows us to remember the true villain, Orchis, and the hate they exemplify. Excellent writing by the creative team here.

The art is consistent throughout the book, and the linework does an excellent job. But for some reason, the colors didn’t pop out of the page enough to provide emphasis for those dramatic moments. I’m unsure if it is a “me” thing, as I need new glasses, or if the colors are dulled on purpose. But because of that, I don’t think I see a standout splash page.

BOTTOM LINE: GOOD STUFF

Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1 is a great comic book. The writing is excellent, and there is a lot of nuance for the character and her life, with a ton of respect for both X-Men themes and the culture she exists in. I will certainly look at this series as it comes out and see what the future is for Kamala Khan. 4.5 out of 5 stars for Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #1.

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